General Discussion

So, as Thorpe are completely silent on anything new for next year, and as it's very almost the new year, I thought it would be interesting to have a little discussion about all the new and exciting things happening around the theme park world this year (CBeebies Land - Woo!). This is not a 'tell me what I could just go a Google' thread, and I realise discussing lots of new things that we'll very likely not actually get to ride is a bit counter-intuitive. However, if, like me, you spend a fair bit of time perusing theme park stuff on the internet, it's always interesting to have a chat about what everyone is potentially going to be talking about this year. So to start off…

Starting a conversation for the best ride documentaries you’ve seen. Great to discover new info on rides you even think you already know and great to watch when there’s nothing on tv! I’ll start off with this Documentary on probably the greatest Huss Top Spin ever built:

So I'm not sure if this counts as a game, but here is what you have to do: Pick a ride from each UK Merlin park, and retheme it! You must tell a name, and a back story. You can keep the ride's original name if you want. Here goes: Thorpe Park: Rumba Rapids New name: Rumba Rapids I would retheme Rumba Rapids to fit in a bit more with Nemesis Inferno. Add lots more water effects, and more wave machines throughout the ride. As for the indoor bit, I'd slow it down in there, have orange lights shining on the waterfall, and on the right have a volcano, that also has orange lights on it, and sprays water and mist everywhere, so the orange lights would make it look li…

the idea is every wednesday night I post 10 questions, you guys answer them.then on the following tuseday I see who did the best and the results are given out on wednesday!this weeks questions will be easy ones.1.what was intamins first ever rollercoaster?2.what is B&M's most popular type of rollercoaster?3.how much did expedition everest at Disneys Animal Kingdom cost in dollars?4.the tallest coaster in the world was once in england, what was this coaster?5.who currently owns the most rollercoasters in one themepark in the world?6.which state is sixflagsmagic mountin in?7.there are two S&S el loco coasters one in england and one in?8.what is the tallest non launc…

It was rather interesting to see your replies to favourite Coaster drops so I'm back to ask about the other way of kicking coasters into gear (or keeping them rolling). What is your favourite Coaster launch section? I reluctantly have to award this one to Taron's second launch section. The sound, the sudden and intense kick of acceleration and the way the train shakes like it's falling apart, it's fantastic. I can't really think of any runners up at the moment, however I'll be riding Dodonpa and at least 1 of the Chinese S&S launchers next year so I hope that will change things. Over to you!

Hi, I'm thinking of visiting Drayton Manor soon. Does anybody know of any current promotions on entry prices or Buy one get one frees etc?

Back when Tussauds were operating the annual pass, I'm fairly sure Heide Park was included on the list of attractions you got in to for free, but now that Merlin are in charge is that still the case?I can't find any mention of Heide Park on the UK annual pass site and it seems that a German Merlin Pass exists so it doesn't seem likely but I figured I'd check.Thanks in advance.

Now all the wing riders are fully in action I have re-started this topic again! Which wing rider train looks better? Furius Baco Raptor Wild Eagle Or X-Flight I did not add The Swarm this time because I wanted people to choose the other section of wing-riders other than our own

Hi guys what do you think the best water ride in the UK is?? Vote in the poll or comment below if you think it is none of the options in the poll! Thanks guys!

Vekoma madhouses are a well loved ride type for UK enthusiasts, because, yknow, Hex exists. Arguably the best example of its kind. And in the UK we're treated to 2 other pretty decent ones too. But is it actually your favourite? And how would you rank the others you've ridden, be they Vekoma or from another manufacturer? [Basically I'm just trying to come up with some sort of thread to kill closed season/covid blues which isn't that ride game... ] Here's mine... 1. Hex, Alton Towers I'll be honest, I'm not as fond of this as many others (not even my favourite dark ride at Towers...), but it's still the best. 2. Le Palais …

Hi everybody, Has anybody taking up this offer or think its worth it?http://www.capitalfm.com/london/charity/buy-merlin-annual-pass-nearly-half-price/Any thoughts will be much appreciated. ST

The report is out! http://www.teaconnect.org/images/files/TEA_159_241229_160525.pdf Key notes: MK has hit over 20 million, Towers down 25% to just over 1.9 million as Merlin only gain 0.2% overall with Disney gaining 3.something and Universal 11% to go from 40 mill to 44 million guests a year.

As a themepark enthusiast, I thoroughly enjoy visiting themepark and attractions and trying out new rides and experiences. However there are many themeparks and attractions out there that I dream of visiting and have yet to visit. So the question is, which ten themeparks and/or attractions in the world would you like to visit that you haven't seen yet and why? For me, the list has to be 10/ Gardaland, Merlin international sister park which has the exciting looking Raptor 9/ Heide Park, I like the look of all those rides plus Kraken too 8/ Disney Land Paris, looks amazing and magical with exciting rides plus the nearest big park to uk 7/ Knotts Berry Farm, lots o…

So I have looked around the interwebs and it looks like Cedar Fair have been installing seat belts on their B&M hypers like Behemoth and Diamondback. I wonder what you guys think about this and do you think that we could see seatbelts on the likes of Silver Star and Shambhala in the future?

I've decided to steal a topic I saw on another forum because I think it's quite interesting and I'd like to know what you guys reckon. What is your favourite drop (including lift if you want) that you have experienced? Mine would be no questioned asked Karnan. The insane, intense, amazing stuff that happens on the lift is only the beginning. When the actual drop comes it's one of the most intense moments I've ever experienced on a coaster. Back row, left seat, ejected so forcefully it hurts as you are twisted to the right and it feels like mere inches from you crashing into the tower structure, life altering! Honorable mentions would go…

It looks like Merlin and Alton Towers is getting a bit more of a bashing. The Metro has the following. Personally I quite like the Ride Me flashing notebook book. Very funky. http://metro.co.uk/2015/06/22/alton...s-emblazoned-with-the-slogan-ride-me-5258188/ So what do you think? Sorry Link Fixed

So I watched this tonight and was wondering whether everyone else has seen it? For those that don't know, it's a documentary about Seaworld's killer whales and all the trainer incidents that have happened in recent years. It's a VERY harrowing watch (there's a scene showing a trainer who narrowly escapes a killer whale who is repeatedly pulling him to the bottom of the pool that is utterly terrifying), but I think an essential one for anyone 'into' the theme park world. I went to Seaworld's a few times, and I have to say I feel a little guilty about it, and much as I'd love to go on Manta, I'm not sure that I could go to the park anymore. Not preaching, I just think …

What does everyone think is the best themed ride? Out of every ride in the world.I dont know what I would choose but I think the theming for Jurassic Park River Adventure is really well done I alson really like the theming for Revenge of the Mummy and Ripsaw Falls.I think when SAW: The Ride is finished, that will be the best themed ride ever!

So, I was wondering, what is the best theme park skyline?I have only seen Thorpe's and Chessington's (or, what there is of a skyline) and Thorpe's is great.

There are loads of theme park competitions out there, so I thought it would be great if we could have a thread just for them. Post the name, link, terms and conditions, as well as expiry date for any you find.

Not sure why I felt the need to post this tbh. The thought suddenly hit me. I lurk a here lot for some bizarre reason but the last time I actually visited a theme park was ~5 years ago, that being Thorpe Park. I have not visited Chessington for almost 10 years and Alton in over a decade. I live a bus ride away from london winter wonder land but can never be bothered to visit. I got into theme parks around 15 years ago. As a child, my parents would take me at least once a year to one of the tussauds parks and enjoyed those times very much. Nowadays, with the rising admission prices and crucially, what you get for that price. I just cannot justify going to …

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/7868241.stm

Airtime for me is my favourite part of a coaster but here in the UK we're definitely missing a pure airtime machine. However there's a few nice negative G moments sprinkled across the coasters we have. The camelback on Speed definitely takes the crown for me, it's not particularly sustained but what there is is pure ejector. Honourable mentions go to the second speed hill on Smiler, the camelback on Saw and the drop after the first turnaround on Megafobia in the back seat. What do you guys think?

Virtual Reality has made its debut in UK theme parks as well as worldwide, with mixed reception. In your opinion, does VR have a place in theme parks?

What is Your Favorite and why